The leader of Waltham Forest Council has issued a statement following the death of a 14-year-old after he was stabbed last night.

The boy was stabbed after his moped crashed into the back of a car. Three men jumped out of the car and stabbed the child repeatedly before driving from the scene.

The attack took place on Bickley Road, near Leyton in Waltham Forest at around 6.30pm last night (Tuesday).

Despite the efforts of paramedics, the boy was pronounced dead at the scene at 7.09pm.

His family has been informed.

Cllr Clare Coghill, leader of Waltham Forest Council, said: “The death of a child is a loss that no parent or family should ever have to face. Our thoughts are with all of the victim’s family and friends at this difficult time.

“This is a tragedy that will be felt right across our borough in all our communities. These senseless acts of violence must end.

“The murder of a 14-year-old boy is an appalling act and we must come together as a community to bring those responsible to justice.

“There will be members of our community who know, or suspect that they know, what happened to this child. You need to come forward; to stay silent is to support murderers.

“The police cannot tackle the violence on our streets alone. Everyone has a role to play in fighting crime and bringing those responsible to justice. Without information these murderers will be free to do this again.

“Residents in the local area where this attack took place will see an increased presence from Waltham Forest Council officers as well as those from the Metropolitan Police in the coming days.”

The council is expected to receive £3million from the government over the next four years to run programmes directly targeting gang crime and violence.

One councillor asked what is being done to tackle the problem.

Cllr Elizabeth Baptiste, deputy leader of the Labour group and representative of Valley ward in Chingford, said on Twitter: "Another lost - what are we doing to stop this? When will enough be enough?"

And the area's MP also vented her frustrations online saying: "Am sat in parliament as MPs scream and shout about points of order and the debates over Brexit as tempers fray.

"Meanwhile Walthamstow grieves a child murdered in our streets and our calls for help go ignored - never more has being in this place felt so disconnected."

Please call the Metropolitan Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 with information.